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Thank god this case is gaining traction. After that ludicrous Time magazine article, “Gays in the Military: Does a Sailor’s Murder Signal Deeper Problems?, that blamed the victim by saying Provost’s murder is a sign that the military “isn’t ready” for repeal of DADT, House member Sheila Jackson-Lee wants to get to the bottom of what may be a hate crime based on Provost’s sexual orientation. (Rod 2.0):
The announcement by Jackson-Lee — who has a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign — comes at the same time other members of the Congress are pressing for action. Sources tell Rod 2.0 the Congressional Black Caucus, NAACP, and the Black Leadership Forum are making a joint statement demanding a full investigation by the Department of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy. Rep. Bob Filner (D) of suburban San Diego, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, says his panel will investigate, too. Filner wants also wants DoD and the Marine Corps to investigate whether the killing of the sailor was a hate crime.
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Rep Lee gets relected by84% of her constituency, the highest percentage in the state of California. She’s also on the GLBT Equality Caucus. So much for the myth that supporting equality and equal rights is not a election winner.
Seriously?…She is asking the DoD and the Marine corps to investigate themselves in terms of a DADT issue? Is anyone seriously going to believe whatever the final report is going to say? Let me call it for you: “We find no evidence that the Military DADT policy had any influence in this case or in the lives of the victim or killer.” This is a CYOA (Cover your own ass) issue and the military is better at that than any organization I know. Justice is not going to be done through this case.
she’s inviting themto embarrass themselves if they come up with lame results in the face of other agencies thorough investigations. no agency should ever be allowed to just throw up their hands and say “oops, dead guy, sorry”.
I agree – DoD and the Corpswill sit on the file for four months and then quietly announce it was a random act of violence. All the while the anti-gays will be running around saying see see see homos shouldn’t be in the service becuase this is what happens to them there queers.
But kudos to the Rep. She is an angel. The US Commission on Civil Rights should be doing this investigation, but there again they can only evaluate it under current law and without the Matthew Shepherd Act were screwed. And besides, De Dope De Dope Dubya totally f**ked up any sense of fairness or balance in that commission.
OhHope it works
Inquiries can take many formsBy law this case must be investigated by NCIS as a criminal act committed against a Department of the Navy active duty member. At a higher level, the Inspector General can perform its own investigation independent of the chain of command to evaluate how SN Provost’s superiors failed to protect him. The House Armed Services Committee can initiate a Congressional inquiry by an independent panel completely separate from the DOD. All three types of investigations can lead to prison time not just for the murderer, but for the chain of command that let SN Provost down. I want to see exactly how “Don’t Harass, Don’t Pursue” was magically forgotten, and why my shipmate was allowed to be harassed, pesecuted, and brutally murdered.
And is it because …August Provost is gay, or is it because he’s black ?
I only pose the question for discussion and/or debate.
That’s Barbara LeeSheila Jackson-Lee is from Texas.
DADT has to goThis is precisely why DADT has to be overturned. The permissive atmosphere for homophobia is beyond dangerous. It is deadly. How is this good for morale? How is this honorable? Where is the integrity? How is turning on your shipmate and murdering him conduct becoming a sworn member of the Armed Forces of the United States? This is cowardly and contemptible. It is criminal and it must be prosecuted as a hate crime. Where is the honor in this? As a former member of the U.S. Navy this makes me want to spit nails. I hope those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Nothing less could ever be acceptable.
SN Provost’s family is from her districtIf Houston, TX is his home of record, and he didn’t register to vote anywhere else, that would make SN Provost Sheila Jackson-Lee’s constituent, adding strength to her call for a Congressional inquiry. His family certainly lives in her district and are well within their rights to ask her to call for a Congressional inquiry if they feel the Navy’s answers are inadequate.
San Diego Union Tribune story today.
Earlybird Current News is including stories on SN Provost, and a LOT of articles on DADT. Earlybird is a service provided on DOD networks by the American Forces Information Service; it compiles “published articles and commentary concerning significant defense and defense-related national security issues.” They cover everything from international military news to domestic issues affecting troops to veterans’ affairs to defense contractor business deals. That they deem SN Provost’s murder and DADT significant enough to include in the service says something.